Membership FAQ’s

Can my experience in the real estate industry reduce the amount of courses I need to take when obtaining the DAR designation?

The short answer is, no. You may be able to receive credit for some of our elective courses, but you will be required to complete the rest of our courses and fulfill the 2 year requirement alongside a Supervisor before you can write your DAR exam.

How long does is take to become a Designated Appraiser?

It varies per member but generally takes between 2 – 4 years. You will start as Candidate Member, who must complete all of the education requirements and have 2 years of full-time work as a candidate appraiser, before you are able to write the final exam.

When applying to write the final exam the candidate must submit 2 recent appraisal reports for review and approval.

Who can be my Supervisor? How do I find one?

A Supervisor has the Certified Appraisal Reviewer designation, which means among other things, they are permitted to take on up to five (5) candidates at any one time. Your Supervisor must be a member of CNAREA.

The best way to find a supervisor is to use our Search Tool: Find an Appraiser. Search the areas you wish to work in, contact the members with the Reviewer designation, and find out if they are looking for candidates.

Will CNAREA help me find a supervisor?

No, CNAREA does get involved in the business operations of our members and as such will not get involved in the hiring of new candidates.

You are responsible for researching and contacting the members, who hold the Certified Reviewer designation, to inquire about being their Candidate. For your convenience, please use our Search Tool to search members in and around your area. A supervisor must be a member of CNAREA and hold the Certified Appraisal Reviewer Designation.

We do advise that all prospective candidates check the Job Posting section on a regular basis.

What supporting documentation do I need to submit along with the membership application?

A prospective member must submit the following, or their application will not be considered for review:

A Criminal Background Check

Confirmation that he or she has successfully completed, at minimum, High School or equivalent

Work history, which usually is in the form of a resume

If the applicant is wanting to receive credit for specific courses or programs they must provide a description of the course or program as well as confirmation of successful completion.

Does previous education from other institutions, associations, or related industries count for credit towards the CNAREA education program?

Only appraisal related courses will be considered for credit towards the mandatory or core courses in the CNAREA education program.

With respect to appraisal courses from outside of CNAREA, please submit the course description and confirmation of the successful completion of the course in your membership application.

Other real estate related courses will be reviewed to determine if elective credits can be given.

How much does it cost to get my designation?

The approximate cost of the education program is approximately $6,000.00. This does not include membership fees and the cost of insurance.

Are courses offered online or in class? Can I choose to complete them online only?

Only once the above have been completed, you shall be able to challenge the exam. We are revamping how the exam is going to be delivered. Please check our Announcements page frequently for updates.

Some criteria for the exam:

If you receive no less than 80%, you will receive a new certificate with your new DAR designation.

You will be required to upgrade your insurance to have adequate coverage now that you’re a DAR. Prolink will contact you by email with a link for you to obtain the appropriate coverage.

As a candidate appraiser can I complete appraisal reports on my own?

Your Reviewer must sign your report when you are a Candidate member.

How do I become a Supervisor?

Be actively working with your DAR designation for at least 2 years and successfully complete the in class course: CNA310 Certified Appraisal Reviewer. You must take this course as a refresher every four years once you are a Reviewer.

How to Register

Need some assistance with registering for Correspondence courses?

FAQ – 3 Years Prior Service:

Q:Is there a specific location within the appraisal report for the statement pertaining to the three (3) years prior services on the subject property?A: Yes, the USPAP requires the disclosure for prior services to appear in the “Certification” of the appraisal report.

The Conduct section of the ETHICS Rule states in part:

“If known prior to accepting an assignment, and/or if discovered at any time during the assignment, an appraiser must disclose to the client, and in each subsequent report certification…. any services regarding the subject property performed by the appraiser within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of the assignment, as an appraiser or in any other capacity.”
SOURCE: http://appraisal.answerbase.com/2543307

Also, if an appraisal report is being completed by a Candidate Member, and their Supervisory Appraiser, each signatory is required to have a statement pertaining to the provision of services.

i.e.: If the Candidate Member signing the appraisal report has not provided services on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of the assignment, but the Supervisory Appraiser signing the report has, there must be a statement describing both situations, in the report “Certification”. If both the Candidate Member and Supervisory Appraiser either have or have not provided services, there must be statements that reflect the situation.

Examples:

Situation #1 – No services provided by the Candidate Member, but services provided by the Supervisory Appraiser:

“The Candidate Member has not provided services of any kind, on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment, however, the Supervisory Appraiser has provided services on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment.”

Situation #2 – Services provided by the Candidate Member, but not by the Supervisory Appraiser:

“The Candidate Member has provided appraisal services, on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment, however, the Supervisory Appraiser has not.

Situation #3 – Services provided by the Candidate Member, and by the Supervisory Appraiser:

“Both the Candidate Member and the Supervisory Appraiser have provided services on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment.”

Situation #4 – No Services provided by the Candidate Member, nor by the Supervisory Appraiser:

“Neither the Candidate Member nor the Supervisory Appraiser have provided services of any kind on the subject property within the three-year period immediately preceding acceptance of this assignment.”